Letters from the Executive Board

When creating this issue, I wanted to study the visual aspects of what it might feel like to exist within a cosmic-centered world, and how that world could exist in conversation with our reality today and the way we move within it. I wanted to take the audience through an experience of invasion, escape, resilience, and adaptation within this new cosmic reality. The central question I began asking myself while developing this issue alongside the wonderful Bebe was: if our world and a cosmic world were to collide, what would that interaction look like from a visual perspective? Through an editorial fashion lens, I explored the different narratives that could emerge within this newly formed world.

My approach began with observing the world as it currently stands. I wanted to reflect humanity's position within it politically, physically, and emotionally while acknowledging the shifts and changes taking place. We are living in a volatile time, where structures once thought permanent are being dismantled. In many ways, this instability created a desire to escape. I became interested in the idea of how to create a reality that truly makes sense for everyone, the world as we know it may need to crumble so it can be rebuilt.

The cosmic universes I imagined are meant to bridge the gap between reality and fantasy. I questioned how people might look and dress in this new world, and whether they would reject it, fear it, or adapt and find their own place within it. This project became about connecting the uncertainty of our present reality with the vast unknown of the infinite cosmos.

Ultimately, I wanted to offer a sense of escapism from propaganda, hate, war, genocide, and displaced anger. I wanted the audience to feel a childlike sense of wonder and optimism through the exploration of the cosmos-revealing feelings of whimsy and imagination, and reinterpreting them within a world I imagine as free from pain, where joy is found in the smallest moments.

Within that optimism, I wanted to reject the notions and structures of the world as we know it. I became interested in finding the middle ground, the balance between resistance and care, escape and responsibility. The cosmos became a space of freedom, a place to confront the unknown. And while the unknown is frightening, I believe that in order to make the 'known' better, we have to be willing to be scared-to face our fears and imagine something beyond what already exists. By displacing our emotions from our current reality, I hoped to invite reflection on the infinite possibilities beyond, with the belief that through renewed optimism, we might begin to mend our world.

I'm honestly not even that into space. It's so big and unknowable that I get sort of overwhelmed by the shifts that something so expansive is not my business. Perhaps I would prefer to focus my epistemological efforts on what's tangible around me, or maybe I just find the universe scary.

I am, however, into the cosmic qualities of Earth. How has 'science fiction' manifested in our reality? Are we building a technological utopia, or are we on our way to decimating the planet altogether? These are the questions that centered my brainstorming of the concepts for Cosmic with the lovely Elijah. As you flip through our mag, I hope you find yourself considering the otherworldly aspects of your life.

Cosmic is the first issue I've done creative direction for with Routure, and I'm grateful for the positive reception of our ideas. I was excited to come up with concepts that were expressive, weird, and told a story. I also thought we could not pass up the opportunity to paint a model blue. When concepting, much of my inspiration was drawn from media such as Star Wars, The Jetsons, and the guys who huff paint in Mad Max.

Shoutout to both the alien freaks and humanoid normies of Rutgers who took the time to help bring Cosmic to life. I hope our ships cross paths once again!

Love you, bye!